Combination depalletizer and palletizer

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an automatic palletizer system and a conveyor system for use in handling a multiplicity of articles. More particular, this invention includes a depalletizer for effecting the removal of a layer of articles such as cans, from a loaded pallet and transferring said layer of articles to a receiving conveyor. The depalletized articles are then conveyed from the depalletizer to a labeling machine wherein information contained on a label is applied to the article. After the labeled article leaves the labeling machine, the article is conveyed to a packaging machine for placing a series of the articles into a box-like container. The container and the series of articles are then conveyed to a palletizer wherein the containers are arranged in a predetermined pattern and transferred to a receiving pallet to form a series of layers of containers. The depalletizer of the present invention includes a loaded pallet elevator for effecting movement of a loaded pallet to a transfer means whereby a layer of articles are transferred therefrom. A receiving conveyor means is located adjacent said loaded pallet elevator for receiving a layer of articles transferred from the loaded pallet. Located on an opposite side of said elevator from the receiving conveyor is a slip-sheet storage bin for receiving slip-sheets as they are removed from the loaded pallet. The receiving conveyor means includes a series of conveyors for effecting a transfer of a layer of articles successively from movement along a first predetermined path in a transverse array to a second predetermined path whereby the articles are moved individually to the labeling machine. The transfer means for effecting a transfer of a slip-sheet from the loaded pallet to the storage bin includes a series of suction cups. The transfer means for transferring a layer of articles from the loaded pallet to the receiving conveyor includes a magnetic pick up head. A pallet magazine is supported on the system beneath the slip-sheet storage bin and between the loaded pallet elevator and an elevator for the container palletizer, whereby an empty pallet from the depalletizer may be transferred directly to the container palletizer or may be transferred to the pallet magazine for storage. However, should an empty pallet not be available from the depalletizer as required by the container palletizer, the magazine is detail for dispensing a pallet therefrom to the container palletizer.

United States Patent Von Gal, Jr. et al.

[ Aug.8,l972

[ COMBINATION DEPALLETIZER AND PALLETIZER [22] Filed: Nov. 4, 1969 [211 App]. No.: 873,896

[52] US. Cl ..2l4/8.5 D, 198/32, 214/6 P [51] Int. Cl ..B65g 59/04 [58] Field of Search...2l4/6 M, 6 P, 6 P8, 8.5, 8.5 A, 2l4/8.5 C, 8.5 D

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,524,846 10/ 1950 Socke et al ..214/6 M X 2,822,933 2/ 1958 Pagdin ..2l4/8.5 D 3,038,615 6/1962 Roth et a1. ..214/8.5 A 3,107,794 10/ 1963 Bechtold et al ..214/8.5 A

3,180,499 4/1965 Wildheim et al ..2l4/8.5 A 3,215,289 11/1965 Gleason ..2l4/8.5 A 3,263,829 8/1966 Verrinder et al. ..2l4/8.5 A 3,342,349 9/1967 Sheldon et al. ..2l4/8.5 C. 3,431,698 3/ 1969 Bathellier ..214/6 M UX 3,471,036 10/1969 Thomas et al ..214/6 M 3,517,831 6/1970 Hahn ..2l4/8.5 C UX FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 896,425 5/ 1962 Great Britain ..214/6 M Primary Examiner-Robert J. Spar Attorney-Newton, Hopkins & Ormsby [57] ABSTRACT This invention relates to an automatic palletizer system and a conveyor system for use in handling a multiplicity of articles. More particularly this invention includes a depalletizer for effecting the removal of a layer of articles such as cans, from a loaded pallet and transferring said layer of articles to a receiving conveyor. The depalletized articles are then conveyed from the depalletizer to a labeling machine wherein information contained on a label is applied to the article. After the labeled article leaves the labeling machine, the article is conveyed to a packaging machine for placing a series of the articles into a box- .like container. The container and the series of articles are then conveyed to a palletizer wherein the containers are arranged in a predetermined pattern and transferred to a receiving pallet to form a series of layers of containers. The depalletizer of the present invention includes a loaded pallet elevator for effecting movement of a loaded pallet to a transfer means whereby a layer of articles are transferred therefrom. A receiving conveyor means is located adjacent said loaded pallet elevator for receiving a layer of articles transferred from the loaded pallet. Located on an opposite side of said elevator from the receiving conveyor is a slip-sheet storage bin for receiving slipsheets as they are removed from the loaded pallet. The receiving conveyor means includes a series of conveyors for effecting a transfer of a layer of articles successively from movement along a first predetermined path in a transverse array to a second predetermined path whereby the articles are moved individually to the labeling machine. The transfer means for effecting a transfer of a slip-sheet from the loaded pallet to the storage bin includes a series of suction cups. The transfer means for transferring a layer of articles from the loaded pallet to the receiving conveyor includes a magnetic pick up head. A pallet magazine is supported on the system beneath the slip-sheet storage bin and between the loaded pallet elevator and an elevator for the container palletizer, whereby an empty pallet from the depalletizer may be transferred directly to the container palletizer or may be transferred to the pallet magazine for storage. However, should an empty pallet not be available from the depalletizer as required by the container palletizer, the magazine is detail for dispensing a pallet therefrom to the container palletizer.

7 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures Aug. 8, 1972 United States Patent Von Gal, Jr. et al.

PATENTED G 8 972 SHEET 01M 20 WWW/025 1. mm, J2

0 may n5 7 PATENTEDAUE 8 m2 SHEET 026i 20 FIG. 2

PATENTEmus 8 I972 SHEET 030F 20 NDN DQm

PATENTEU AUG 8 I973 SHEET OSUF 20 FIG. 5

PATENTED 8'97? 3.682.338 SHEET U7UF 20 PATENTEU 3.682.338

sum UBOF 2o FIG 10 PATENTEDAUG a 1912 SHEET 10UF 2O lll PATENTEDMJC' 81912 SHEET llUF 20 RUN PATENTED 8W 3.682.338 SHEET 120F2O PATENTED m 8 1912 SHEET 15W 20 a f g w r I! PATENTEDAUG m? 3.682.338

SHEET 18DF 2O 

1. An article handling system for use in removing layers of stacked articles from a pallet comprising, in combination: a. a pallet support elevator mounted on said system for supporting and elevating a loaded pallet containing a series of layers of articles with each layer separated by a slip sheet; b. conveyor means operatively supported on said article handling system adjacent said pallet support elevator and in position for receiving a layer of articles transferred thereto from the loaded pallet, said conveyor means including a first conveyor located on said article handling system for receiving a layer containing a series of depalletized articles arranged in a transverse array and for conveying said layer of articles along a first predetermined path, a second conveyor supported on said system for successively conveying each article of said series of articles along a second predetermined path, and a series of conveyors located between said first conveyor and said second conveyor, said second conveyor and said series of conveyors being parallel arranged in side by side relationship and angularly disposed across the width of said first conveyor, with the conveying surfaces of said first conveyor, said second conveyor and said series of conveyors being detailed in substantially the same plane whereby the articles can be successively transferred from one conveyor to an adjacent conveyor, and wherein angularly disposed article guide means is operatively associated with said series of conveyors for guiding successive articles from said series of conveyors onto said second conveyor; c. means supported on said article handling system adjacent said pallet elevator for receiving a slip sheet transferred thereto from said loaded pallet; d. a movable carriage supported on said article handling system for moving in a horizontal path over said slip sheet receiving means, said pallet elevator means and said conveyor means, said carriage being detailed to include a first and second support portion and wherein said first support portion is positioned over said slip sheet receiving means when said second support portion is positioned over said loaded pallet elevator means and wherein said first support portion is positioned over said loaded pallet elevator means when said second support portion is positioned over said conveyor means; e. means mounted on said first carriage support portions and operatively associated with a slip sheet separator for effecting a transfer of a slip sheet layer separator from said loaded pallet to said slip sheet receiving means during movement of said first carriage support portion from a position over said loaded pallet to a position over said slip sheet receiving means; and, f. means on said carriage second support portion operatively associated with a layer of articles on said loaded pallet for effecting a transfer of a layer of articles from said loaded pallet to said receiving conveyor during movement of said carriage second support portion from a position over said loaded pallet to a position over said receiving conveyor.
 2. In an article handling system as described in claim 1, further characterized in that slip-sheet transfer means includes a series of suction cups supported thereon for engaging a layer separator slip-sheet in position on said loaded pallet and for transferring said layer separator sheet to said slip-sheet receiving means.
 3. In an article handling system as describe in claim 1, fUrther characterized in that said layer transfer means includes a mangetic pick-up head detailed in design for effecting a pick-up and transfer of a layer of articles from said loaded pallet to said receiving conveyor.
 4. In an article handling system as described in claim 1, further characterized in that said series of conveyors are is detailed for conveying movement in the same direction as said second conveyor.
 5. In an article handling system as described in claim 4, further characterized in that said conveyor means includes means operatively associated with said series of conveyors and said second conveyor for maintaining a group of said transferred articles in excess of the capacity of said second conveyor in conveying transferred relationship relative to said second conveyor whereby said excess articles will be successively transferred to said second conveyor means.
 6. In an article handling system as described in claim 5, further characterized in that said maintaining means includes a series of conveyors supported relative to said second conveyor for operation in substantially parallel spaced relationship to said second conveyor and for conveying movement in an opposite direction from said second conveyor.
 7. In an article handling system as described in claim 6, further characterized in that said second series of conveyors includes an article guide means operatively associated adjacent an outfeed end thereof for moving articles conveyed thereby onto said second conveying means and onto said first series of conveying means. 